Step 6: Finishing

Step 7: Done! Give it to someone!

My girlfriend was around while I was making this, so it wasn't a surprise when I gave it to her. She still really liked it. We both decided that the h...

I'm having way too much fun making wooden rings ( Green Lantern, Wooden Rings). The whole thing started as just a creative exercise, and now it seems that a lot of people like them, so I asked myself " What makes a better gift than something that someone likes?"

Well, I'll tell you... it's something that someone likes, that's also personalized just for that person. In this case it's my girlfriend, but with a little ermaginimanation (say it out loud, it's fun!) this could be the perfect gift for anyone.

Enjoy!

Because this one is shiny the picture doesn't really do it justice, or I should say because I'm apparently not good enough at photography to be able to take pictures of shiny things without there being weird shadows the pictures don't do it justice.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Wood (I buy wood bits by the pound from American Science and Surplus)
Something small and personal to whomever you're making the ring for
Wood stain (I used Golden Pecan)
Clear casting resin and activator
Wood filler (I actually didn't need it this time, but just in case)
Polyurethane
Brushes (unless you use spay polyurethane)

Step 2: Start Carving

First I drill out the center and grind to fit with a Dremel.Next I use the Dremel to make the basic shape.Then I sand and sand until i have the shape I want, and flatten the top to I have a surface for my custom jewel.

I used a couple of pictures from the Green Lantern Ring, but the only difference on this one is that the face is square instead of round.

Dear aintMichael: Thanks for your instructibles. If you ever get the chance to visit Puerto Rico, try to get some "corozos" (is like lime-size coconut); probably ,these things are the best "wood" to craft wooden rings. Believe me they are so hard, you'll need a bandsaw,and after a few hours of sanding and buffering they show a pristine luster almost like ebony. (Sorry for my broken english, lack of practice)

I really like your Instructables, these ring wooden ring ones are just what I need, they sparked inspiration! Is the Dremel workstation absolutely necessary? Don't get me wrong, I love my Dremel, to death, it's the handiest thing in the world. I'm just not sure buying a stand fits my budget. Whats the price on one of those... I'm willing to bet I could find one fairly cheap at our local Harbor Freight. :]

i guess it's not necessary, but it's super helpful. If I remember corerctly it was only like $20 or $30, either way it was cheaper than I expected. I'm pretty sure I picked it up from Amazon, as they had the cheapest price I could fine.

In the end I was able to make a ring out of bone using just the dremel tool. It worked very well. It's like aintMichael said, not necessary, but probably helpful. By no means do you HAVE to go out and by one to be able to make a ring though!

HI I am a one of a kind jewelry designer i have been an artist for 9 years and i consider you an artist very beautiful check me out at www.secretsbeadsnthings.com not everything is up yet but little by little im just so busy with 3 kids and dog husband and art shows i do hop to see more

jeez, the detail on that ring is amazing i'm sad, because when i'm at my parents for the holidays, i have my dad's shop and all the "big" tools i could need, but when i'm home i have my little dremel and no other tools perhaps i'll just make a bunch of blank rings while i'm here, and make them ornate when i get home...

If you want these to last even longer, don't use a finish that covers the outside of the wood. Things like varathane, varnish, lacquer, etc, harden and sit on the surface of the wood. Eventually, or sooner, the thin layer on top of the surface of the wood will crack chip peel etc. Better finish for something like this is to rub it with a penetrating oil finish, even as simple as sesame seed oil. You can wet-sand with the oil and get a really silky nice finish. ... the finish can be touched up if necessary, without removing original finish if it's oil, if it's some hardening-on-the-surface finish like Minwax (which has its uses as well) the finish needs to be sanded off before refinishing. Also, it's nicer to the skin to use something like sesame oil instead of a plasticky solventy finish. I've made a lot of wooden jewelry, for decades, and even the old pieces that I've seen are still nice. If I had used varnish or lacquer, I think they wouldn't last as well. Wooden jewelry is such a good way to use those knotty scrap pieces that don't work for other projects. The grain on the wood right up next to the knot is really dense and crazy sometimes... I've got pieces of black walnut that look much like tiger-eye stone -- from a piece next to a dense knot. The figure pattern looks like it has 'grain' following each of three axes (plural of axis not axe). Nice instructable.

But you might still prefer varnish, lacquer, etc, if you are going to make a resin casting in the top... to make it all look like one piece. Oil finish is probably only better if the ring is all one piece.

You really are going nuts with the rings, eh? I've got an idea for a new (well old but new here) design based on the one ring (you know, LOTR) but I'm not sure if I have the patiences to take that on. Oh well. Very nice instructable BTW

yeah. I'm really having a good time making these. I find I have much more patience if I put in a DVD that I've seen a bunch of times but still like, actually LOTR is one of the best, and just kind work while the movies on and go back and forth between the work and the movie. Next thing I know its 3 hous later and I'm either done with a piece or done with a movie. Anyway, thanks!

Aha! Some day when it all goes all wrong and evilly just so you know, I may be short but I'm not going to be the one making a long hike to throw the ring into the fires of your Dremel. By the way, they are nice rings. I may have to look into getting the Dremel workstation. Have you tried making any other jewelry, like bracelets?

I watch TV when carving , gun shots heavy breathing you look up , sports you wait for the replay , good work again ......carving will make / teach you patient you don't want to spend 100 + hours on a carving and then break it on the last cut ......